Steering Clutches

This is one of two clutch release forks being profiled, and slots machined for the pivot links, out of 10mm mild steel on the mill. Once finished here they had to be cross-drilled for the pivot and hinge pins.

Here is one of the bare steering forks in situ on a steering clutch assembly.

This is the entire drive axle showing the steering clutches, one dismantled including a dis-assembled throw-out bearing (shown in the Gearbox post).

When the steering clutches are disengaged, although the force on the ball races is high, the friction on the drive shaft is minimal.

This shows the assembled drive shaft within the transmission.
Each throw-out fork pivots on two links that attach to one of the main bearings. The thust when releasing the steering clutch is taken between the throw-out bearing and the main bearing. These are linked by a 30x3mm plate that links the two main bearing supports.




This is the base of the driver's seat mounted to the top of the transmission. Directly below this are the bearing stands for the steering cams. They can also be seen below with the transmission cover partly removed.





The transmission cover has been removed to show the transmission. The steering forks have swivel blocks on which the cams act. The swivel blocks have counter sunk holes bored in their tops, this is to lubricate the pivots and the trunion.






This is the underside of the transmission cover showing the cams (the two egg shapes in the middle) which push against the captive rectangular bars. The outer ends push on the swiveling blocks (shown in the previous picture with oil hole).